The Hardin County Genealogical Society of Texas is raising funds and restoring the building at 125 Brown in Kountze. Organizers plan to reopen it as a dance hall and venue for musicians and plays. The structure was built in 1946 by the Hardin County American Legion Hall as a dance hall for the men returning from World War II. For more information, call (409) 755-1128. less

The Hardin County Genealogical Society of Texas is raising funds and restoring the building at 125 Brown in Kountze. Organizers plan to reopen it as a dance hall and venue for musicians and plays. The structure ... more

Photo: Cassie Smith

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The Hardin County Genealogical Society of Texas is raising funds and restoring the building at 125 Brown in Kountze. Organizers plan to reopen it as a dance hall and venue for musicians and plays. The structure was built in 1946 by the Hardin County American Legion Hall as a dance hall for the men returning from World War II. For more information, call (409) 755-1128. less

The Hardin County Genealogical Society of Texas is raising funds and restoring the building at 125 Brown in Kountze. Organizers plan to reopen it as a dance hall and venue for musicians and plays. The structure ... more

Photo: Cassie Smith

Image 3 of 10

The Hardin County Genealogical Society of Texas is raising funds and restoring the building at 125 Brown in Kountze. Organizers plan to reopen it as a dance hall and venue for musicians and plays. The structure was built in 1946 by the Hardin County American Legion Hall as a dance hall for the men returning from World War II. For more information, call (409) 755-1128. less

The Hardin County Genealogical Society of Texas is raising funds and restoring the building at 125 Brown in Kountze. Organizers plan to reopen it as a dance hall and venue for musicians and plays. The structure ... more

Photo: Cassie Smith

Image 4 of 10

The Hardin County Genealogical Society of Texas is raising funds and restoring the building at 125 Brown in Kountze. Organizers plan to reopen it as a dance hall and venue for musicians and plays. The structure was built in 1946 by the Hardin County American Legion Hall as a dance hall for the men returning from World War II. For more information, call (409) 755-1128. less

The Hardin County Genealogical Society of Texas is raising funds and restoring the building at 125 Brown in Kountze. Organizers plan to reopen it as a dance hall and venue for musicians and plays. The structure ... more

Photo: Cassie Smith

Image 5 of 10

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The Hardin County Genealogical Society of Texas is raising funds and restoring the building at 125 Brown in Kountze. Organizers plan to reopen it as a dance hall and venue for musicians and plays. The structure was built in 1946 by the Hardin County American Legion Hall as a dance hall for the men returning from World War II. For more information, call (409) 755-1128. less

The Hardin County Genealogical Society of Texas is raising funds and restoring the building at 125 Brown in Kountze. Organizers plan to reopen it as a dance hall and venue for musicians and plays. The structure ... more

Photo: Cassie Smith

Image 7 of 10

The Hardin County Genealogical Society of Texas is raising funds and restoring the building at 125 Brown in Kountze. Organizers plan to reopen it as a dance hall and venue for musicians and plays. The structure was built in 1946 by the Hardin County American Legion Hall as a dance hall for the men returning from World War II. For more information, call (409) 755-1128. less

The Hardin County Genealogical Society of Texas is raising funds and restoring the building at 125 Brown in Kountze. Organizers plan to reopen it as a dance hall and venue for musicians and plays. The structure ... more

Photo: Cassie Smith

Image 8 of 10

The Hardin County Genealogical Society of Texas is raising funds and restoring the building at 125 Brown in Kountze. Organizers plan to reopen it as a dance hall and venue for musicians and plays. The structure was built in 1946 by the Hardin County American Legion Hall as a dance hall for the men returning from World War II. For more information, call (409) 755-1128. less

The Hardin County Genealogical Society of Texas is raising funds and restoring the building at 125 Brown in Kountze. Organizers plan to reopen it as a dance hall and venue for musicians and plays. The structure ... more

Photo: Cassie Smith

Image 9 of 10

The Hardin County Genealogical Society of Texas is raising funds and restoring the building at 125 Brown in Kountze. Organizers plan to reopen it as a dance hall and venue for musicians and plays. The structure was built in 1946 by the Hardin County American Legion Hall as a dance hall for the men returning from World War II. For more information, call (409) 755-1128. less

The Hardin County Genealogical Society of Texas is raising funds and restoring the building at 125 Brown in Kountze. Organizers plan to reopen it as a dance hall and venue for musicians and plays. The structure ... more

Photo: Cassie Smith

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World War II dance hall to get encore

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SOUTHEAST TEXAS TALES

A Hardin County group is trying to a save a World War II era dance hall that could bring the boogie woogie (as in bugle boy) back to Kountze.

Boyett said the group expects at least $50,000 will be needed to renovate the old dance hall at 125 Brown.

Right now, the dance hall is a shadow of what it was in the late 1940s. And there is no parking lot for the 4,500-square-foot building.

Of course, that makes sense. Only 9 percent of the entire U.S. population had vehicles in 1923 and it wasn't until 1945 that highways and farm roads were surfaced, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

So, it's not like the returning soldiers required wheels to get around Kountze.

Four original benches still remain inside the dance hall, which was built by the Hardin County American Legion. There are two benches on each side of the room. One set seated women, the opposite set was for the men, Boyett said.

Boyett said the Genealogical Society plans to keep the original benches and a gas space heater. The group will restore an attic fan to keep the original look and plans to renovate the kitchen.

Most of the red paint from a shuffleboard outline still remains on the wooden floors in the dance hall, where folks would take a turn at the game in between turns on the dance floor.

Once the building is restored, Boyett said he envisions hosting bands, musicians, plays and events.

The dance hall features a stage, with doors on each side to allow actors, or musicians, to move around the back or switch sides.

Boyett said he likes the idea of having the space open on Saturday mornings to allow for different musicians to gather and play together while drinking coffee.

"This will draw people into Hardin County," he said. "There's no doubt in my mind we'll have 50 to 75 people show up on the weekends."

Boyett said the Genealogical Society is in the process of gathering World War II memorabilia to decorate the dance hall walls.

The group will host a garage sale on April 6 at the site to help raise funds for renovations.